A mother always has to think twice: once for herself, and once for her children.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Indecision Strikes Again

I have always wanted to be a mommy, but it wasn’t until I became one that I really understood (and still am learning) what being a mom is really all about. And I have recently come to the conclusion that being a mom is all about decisions…

I never imagined there were so many decisions to be made with regard to parenting, and just when I think the hardest ones are behind me *BAM* another one pops up on the radar! Prior to the birth of my tiny one I felt sure that the advice of doctors, the government, and people who are doing things “the way things have always been done” would be good enough. And for some – it is. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on perspective) I am not one of those. Before making any big decisions I tend to overanalyze study and research until my eyes are bloodshot.

Here are a few of the most daunting decisions that I have had to make as a mother:

cord blood: bank it or not

sleeping: co-sleep or not

breastfeeding: keep trying or not

table food: organic or not

discipline: spank or not

vaccines: do it or not

nursing: take necessary medications or not

And now, thanks to my experience today I can add convertible car set selection to my list of daunting decisions. Hubby and I have agreed that we want to keep our tiny one rear-facing at least until two, but I want to keep her rear-facing longer (hubby is still not sold on it). So, in the quest for the perfect convertible car seat I ended up at a local boutique baby store that has the nicest folks who will let you bring your car and “try on” car seats! They even help you install them – did I mention that they were awesome?

Prior to sashaying my happy little self into the store I spent what seemed like a decade doing research and studying different car seats. My choices were narrowed down to the Britax Boulevard 70 and the Radian 80SL. Both of these are very pricey seats, and my choice begs one to ask if I chose them simply because they are among the most expensive ones. Doubters, fear not, I chose those seats because they not only meet the government safety requirements they far exceed them. And since I am going to be putting something very important (AKA: my most valuable gift. ever.) in this seat for many years to come I didn’t feel that the price tag was unreasonable.

Blah, blah, blah…fast forward to the trying on of the seats. We did it. I liked the way the Britax fit the best. I bought it and came home. Fast forward a few hours and Shazam! buyer’s remorse hit me like a ton of bricks. I had all these thoughts racing through my head: Did I buy the right seat? What if the other one was better? What if this one is too bulky? What if it’s too hot? What if we suddenly get pregnant with twins, and I can’t fit all the kids in the back seat because I got this super bulky car seat? What if it isn’t installed properly? What if the moon’s gravitational pull causes the straps to be too loose? (Okay I made that one up just now, but you get the idea! I was in a panic!!!)

Fast forward again and I’m back at the cutesy boutique with the amazingly patient and kind lady who must have seen psycho moms like me before. We repeat the “trying on” of the car seats from the previous visit, but this time tiny one is in tow, so we actually put her in the seats as the car gets to “try them on” for the 2nd time. Ultimately I decide that there are features about both seats that I like and features about both seats that I don’t like. Suddenly I realized that I was holding my tiny one, sitting in the back seat with this sweet lady and the car seats, and I was paralyzed with indecision. I just could not decide what to do. So five minutes later I pulled out of the parking lot with a screaming tiny one who was quite annoyed with the whole idea of trying out car seats and a store credit for the car seat I returned. Alas, I am not defeated! We shall “try on” car seats again and allow hubby to join in on the fun!!!

In the meantime, you can just refer to me as the crazy mama who is more indecisive than a six year old on the Barbie aisle.

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About Me

I am all about trying to get back to the simple things in life. Less is more.
I am a devoted wife and a very imperfect mama to my two perfect and beautiful daughters. I am also mama to two spoiled rotten dogs.